Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, is today marking Lancashire Day, the annual celebration of the historic County Palatine of Lancaster.
Lancashire’s county day is celebrated on 27 November as it was on this day in 1295 that the first elected representatives from Lancashire were called to Westminster by King Edward I to attend what later became known as “The Model Parliament”.
The administrative boundaries of Lancashire have changed multiple times over the years, but the historic boundary – determined by the rivers Tame and Mersey – mean that all but the Dukinfield part of the Denton and Reddish constituency falls within the ancient County Palatine of Lancaster which was established in 1182.
Old boundary markers are still found on some of the bridges, like at Broomstair in Denton, or in names, like the ‘Lancashire Bridge’ over the Mersey in the middle of Merseyway, Stockport, and at Lancashire Hill.
Local government reorganisations have blurred historic ties over time with Reddish moved into Stockport County Borough in 1901 and the Heatons gradually subsumed by Stockport between 1835 and 1913. Audenshaw and Denton became part of the new borough of Tameside in 1974. Both Stockport and Tameside became part of Greater Manchester at the same time.
However, despite these changes, the Duchy and County Palatine of Lancaster remains as a legal entity and administrative unit on the historic borders, rather than those of the current Lancashire County Council area.
Gwynne has ensured that the county flag will be raised at Denton Town Hall today to mark the occasion.
Andrew Gwynne said:
“Lancashire Day is an absolutely fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate our heritage, wherever we are within the historic County Palatine.
“As the MP for Denton and Reddish, I also think it’s a great way of celebrating a shared heritage for parts of the constituency that are currently divided between Stockport and Tameside boroughs.
“This year is a bit different as a result of COVID restrictions, but as always I thought it was important to get the Red Rose flying from Denton Town Hall.”
